This was from miamidolphins.com, for 12/31/08: "Defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot), wide receiver Mark Clayton (knee), linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf), wide receiver Derrick Mason (shoulder), safety Ed Reed (thigh), cornerback Samari Rolle (ankle/foot) and cornerback Fabian Washington (toe) all did not practice. Linebacker Antwan Barnes (shoulder), offensive guard Chris Chester (back), running back Ray Rice (calf), kicker Matt Stover (right ankle) and safety Tom Zbikowski (thigh) were limited." That's quite a bit of talent who didn't participate in practice for the Ravens today. Maybe they are blowing smoke up our behinds, but still, you DO NOT hold out players from practice before -playoff- games unless there is something seriously limiting them. As for us, the only two players who didn't practice were David Martin and Randy Starks who are both day-to-day.
I can guarantee they play, the playoffs have a way of making the bumps and bruises go away for 3 hours.
When it's the playoff's if you can walk, you will play. I wouldn't read too much into that injury report.
The injury report means very little normally...but it means absolutely nothing right now. Expect everyone to play on both sides.
It would be great for Raven fans give the Dolphins some respect rather then talking about there next game after Miami.
Yeh...I respectfully hate the Ravens this week.... Wheres Ray Lewis...tell him its time for his whoppin!!! Ill be respectful about it..for sure.
Na the Ravens are tough mofos, they'll def all play. Mason's going to get that shoulder tested very early in that game though.
Disliking Lewis is your prerogative. But how can you say he is overrated? Ray has played like a 27 year-old LB this season and is in the Pro Bowl again for the tenth time in 13 years. Not to mention a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and the MVP of SB XXXV. Overrated is Brian Urlacher.
I believe what sets Ray Lewis apart from almost all other linebackers is that he elevates others to play at or above their level. Look at the linebackers that played on great Ravens defenses alongside Ray Lewis that left due to free agency and then were almost unheard of again. Only Adalius Thomas stands out as playing pretty much as well with the Patriots as he did with the Ravens. In fact, even cornerbacks and D-lineman who were standouts with the Ravens seemed to fade as soon as the left the team. Ray motivates others to a higher degree. No wonder so many players on other teams talk to him every week. He will make a great linebacker coach when he hangs up the cleats. He's really makes a study of the game.
First and fore-most, I have much more respect for Ray Lewis as a player than I do most Murderers. He has always been one of the top 5 linebackers since he came into the league. He was the top middle linebacker for probably 2 to 3 of those years. Second, He has been a huge part of a hype machine for just as long. Please please dont use ProBowl's as a barometer. Everybody knows that it is not an accurate reflection of who the best players in the league are. Third, have you actually watched Urlacker play? He is an incredible talent that plays all over the freakin field. Unlike most middle linebackers, he is not a liability in passing situations, and he brings serious pain every single play. Fourth, Zach Thomas is and has been every bit the player Lewis has...except for last year and this year.
You know the crowd he's associated with? What I like him about is his intensity. He goes out there and plays with a passion and much like the late Sean Taylor, he goes out there to knock heads off. Deacon Jones was just like that as well, I'm sure you've seen the Americas Game videos, in which Deacon is always saying something along the lines of " I don't want to sack the QB, I want to kill 'em!" Can't say I blame him. Smart move. Not only is Joey a crazy guy, he's smart for staying away because he knows he can get suspended for it.
Yeah, Lewis is a liability in passing situations. Those three picks he got this season were mere flukes. Urlacher is all over the field? An incredible talent? I found this interesting: more hype than hits
BTW, sorry about the thread hijack. The injury list doesn't concern me that much. The Ravens had that many players on the list before they played Jacksonville. And the game was as much a playoff game as this week.
Mason has always been one of my favorite receivers because he's quietly consistent. Definitely deserves more respect than he gets, IMO.
The Dolphins haven't been getting respect all year. They are much better off playing the Ravens while they are at full strength. If they were to beat the Ravens with several Ravens players out injured the media will have a reason to say the Dolphins only won for that reason. If the Dolphins rise to the occasion and beat the Ravens at full strength then that excuse can't be used. Lets hope its a good game decided on the field, with no injuries and few penalties and may the best team win. Lets hope its not decided by the officials. Go Dolphins
true that but i dont think its possible for the media to show us love and we are no where near full strength. we have had 3 key defensive players on ir all year
Yea we have like 19 guys on IR this year.Plus we pretty much didn't have a bye week so we need to rest up when we can. They'll play. Looking forward to a good game.
MAYBE one of those guys sit out, and it will be the least important. I dont think we could be that fortunate
just checked on yahoo and it says dolphins have 5 Injured Reserve Player Status Injury A. Halterman TE IR Back D. Thomas G IR Foot M. McChesney T IR Knee G. Camarillo WR IR Knee J. Smiley G IR Broken right leg we have 16 on ir to be exact and yea our bye week was week 2 but all our guys will no doubt pllay except maybe willile anderson our vetteran right tackle.
According to this article we have 19,if Antwan Barnes makes the list we'll have 20 and tie the Jacksonville Jaguars for most players on IR in the league. http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2008/12/Notes-_Barnes_Still_Off_IR.aspx